MDE’s mission is to protect and restore the quality of Maryland’s air, water, and land resources, while fostering smart growth, economic development, safe communities, and quality environmental education, for the benefit of the environment, public health, and future generations. The Department accomplishes its mission by assessing, preventing, and controlling sources of pollution to foster an excellent quality of life for all Marylanders.

MDE has three media-specific administrations and two other major administrations that provide administrative and technical support to the air, water and waste management administrations. The Department's primary services include permitting/licensing and inspections for 89 functions and different regulatory facilities, financial assistance, environmental clean-up oversight, technical assistance for compliance and pollution prevention, public education and outreach, and environmental emergency response.

This section provides a comprehensive discussion of the different programs of the Department: